The 2008 campaign formally begins Jan. 3 with the Iowa caucuses but Democratic and Republican challengers are ratcheting up campaign energy to outdo one another in Clinton-bashing, a feature in Wednesday's Washington Post stated.

"Everyone is trying out their best lines, trying out their best angles of attack, to show they should be the one to carry the Republican banner into battle against her," Todd Harris, spokesman for GOP hopeful Fred Thompson, told the Post.

Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and GOP contender, said attacks on Clinton are good currency noting, "It gets louder than an Aerosmith concert" when Clinton's name is mentioned unfavorably at events.

Even advisers to rivals in her own party said the Republican candidates may face a stiffer challenge opposing alternative Democratic candidates because they worry her nomination would galvanize Republican voters, the Post said.